Emergency transmitter device



48 fl-LMK g 22 Tmnsm.

Sieve u! Vacs/r INVENTORS Char/es a! Ferry Aug. 17, 1965 s. J. VACEK ETAL EMERGENCY TRANSMITTER DEVICE Filed Aug. 20, 1962 United States Patent 3,281,693 ElllERGEN-EY TRAIJSMITTER DEVEQE Steve J. Vacelr, 22b Holder St, and Qharles 5. Perry, 1635 Feabody Ave, both of San Antonio, Tex. Filed Aug. 20, 1962, Ser. No. 217,326 6 Claims. (El. 325-133) This invention relates to an emergency distress signal emitting device particularly useful in connection with the location of marine craft and other similar purposes.

It is therefore a primary object of the persent invention to provide a relatively small, easily operated and economical transmitter device operative to issue a predetermined distress signal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a small transmitter device construction having an extensible antenna that may be removed for withdrawal of a conductive cable antenna capable of being extended for a substantial distance in order to increase the range of signal radiation from the transmitter.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FEGURE l is a perspective view of the transmitter device of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial side elevational view of the transmitter device with the casing broken away and shown in section;

FZGURE 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 33 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4- is a partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line i l in FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a simplified circuit diagram of the transmitter device.

Referring now to the drawings in detail it will be observed from FIGURE 1 that the transmitter device generally referred to by reference numeral 16 is mounted within an enclosure or waterproof casing generally referred to by reference numeral 12 made of any suitable material preferably non-conductive, non-porous and capable of being manufactured economically. 0n one side wall 14 of the casing a signal lamp or light 16 may be exposed while on a side wall 18 perpendicular to the side wall 1 3-, an on-ofi switch device 2b may be mounted. Also, the casing 1'2 may be provided with a removable section 21 through which a battery may be inserted or replaced constituting the source of energy for the trans- Initter device. A telescoping antenna device 22 projects upwardly from the top port-ion 24 of the casing 12 and may be disassembled therefrom so that a flexible antenna cable 26 maybe withdrawn therefrom as shown by dotted lines in FiGURE 1, extension of the cable 26 being thereby efiective to extend the range of transmitter radiation. Accordingly, when withdrawn from the casing, the cable may be attached to any device for elevating it such as a balloon.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3 in particular, it will be observed that two chambers are formed within the casing 12 including a battery and circuit compartment containing the signal energy generating means separated from an antenna compartment 30 by means of a partition wall 51. Mounted within the compartment 23 adjacent the lower end thereof, is a small fractional horsepower motor 32 having a motor shaft 34 journaled between the wall 14 and the partition Wall 32. A mounting bracket 35 is secured to the wall 14 for stationary mountiii "Ice

ing of the motor casing with respect to the housing 12. Mounted on the motor shaft 34 between the motor casing and the partition wall 32 is a code wheel 36 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 4. The code wheel has mounted thereon in angularly spaced relation three groups of yielda'ble contact elements two of the groups of flexible contact elements including closely spaced elements 33 which are relatively long as compared to the shorter element ll) of a third group. The flexible contact elements cooperate with a single rigid contact element 42 securely mounted on the partition wall 32 so that in response to rotation of the code wheel 36 a distress signal may be produced by three long contact intervals closely spaced apart followed by a pause and then three closely spaced short con-tact intervals followed by a second pause after which the three long contact intervals are repeated, the foregoing sequence occurrin during degrees of rotation of the code wheel and being repeated once each revolution of the code wheel so as to produce thereby the Morse code distress signal, S O S. It will, of course, be appreciated that other coding arrangements may be utilized pursuant to the foregoing principles. It will also be observed that electrical conductors are connected to code wheel by the bracket 4d through which the motor shaft 3 is iournaled, it being appreciated, of course, that the motor shaft and the code wheel are also made of conductive material so as to establish a conductive path between the flexible contact elements 38 or 40 and the fixed contact element 42 to which an electrical conductor is also connected.

Mounted within the compartment 28 above the motor 32, is a transistorized transmitter circuit component generally referred to by reference numeral 46 to which the motor '32., terminal bracket 4-4- and fixed contact element 42 are electrically connected. Also electrically connected through the circuit component 46 is the lamp device 16 arranged to be connected in parallel with the coded signal switch arrangement between the code wheel and the fixed contact element 42. in this manner a blinking light may be provided indicating the operating condition of the transmitter. Also connected to the circuit component as as more clearly seen in FIGURE 2, is the on-ofi' switch assembly Zil. Power for energizing the circuit component 46 and the motor 32 is derived from a battery generally referred to by reference numeral mounted on top of the circuit component 46 and plugged thereinto. The section 21 held on the casing by the fastener fill may therefore be readily removed so as to withdraw the battery for replacement purposes. The output from the transmitter circuit component 46 is therefore connected to the antenna device 22 through a conductive cable 26 and a cable reel mechanism generally referred to by reference numeral 52 which is rotatably mounted in the antenna compartment 36 at a lower end thereof.

Referring once again to FIGURES 2 and 3, it will be ovserved that the antenna device 22 is provided with a tubular holder 54 which is slidably mounted within a bore 56 formed within the casing above the antenna compartment Bil. The casing is formed with an upwardly projecting threaded portion 58 through which the holder 54 extends. Formed intermediate the ends of the holder 54 is a flange 69 adapted to be engaged by the internally threaded assembly nut 62 for holding the holder 54 in assembled position within the casing. Conductively connected in any suitable manner to the lower end as of the holder 54, is the end of the conductive cable 26 adapted to be wound upon the cable reel device 52 and by means of which a conductive path is established from the transmitter output to the antenna device.

from the antenna device and anchored ,device ashereinbefore mentioned. e

from the circuit component, journals atapered stub shaft portion 70 of the reel 52 which is made of conductive material. A spring element 72 seated within a recess 74 in the wall 66 is therefore provided in order to apply I axial pressure on' the reel 52 so as to both retard rotation thereof and maintain electrical contact between the reel and the terminal bracket 68 within which it is journaled. Accordingly, the end of the conductive cable 26 opposite the connected end 76 is conductively anchored to the reel device 52. The transmitter device may therefore be operated either, with the telescoping antenna device as shown in FIGURE 1 or the assembly nut 62 removed and the antenna holder 54 withdrawn pulling the cable 26 therewith so that it may be then disconnected to some elevating Referring therefore to FIGURE 5, operation of the transmitter device will become apparent. It will there- ;fore be noted that the battery source of power 48 is operative upon closing of the on-off switch 26 to supply energizing power for the motor 32 by means of which the code wheel 36 is continuously rotated to intermittently open and close a circuit through the transmitter circuit component 46 to thereby radiate a. distress signal from the antenna device 22. Connected in parallel with the signal switch arrangement is the indicator lamp 16. It will therefore be appreciated that the transmitter device of the-present invention because of the novel ar- 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said antenna means comprises a telescoping antenna assembly, a tubular holder for saidassembly removably mounted in said antenna compartment from which the assembly is extensible, said conductive cable being removably anchored to a lower end of the tubular holder for withdrawal therewith from the enclosure.

3. A distress signal emitting device for emergency use comprising a compartmented enclosure including an exposable battery and circuit compartment and an antenna compartment, said compartments having a partition wall therebetween, rotatable means mounted by said partition wall in both compartments, displaceable antenna means mounted in said antenna compartment for varying the eflFective range of signal radiation, battery-powered transmitter circuit means mounted in the battery and circuit compartment, means electrically connecting the rotatable means to the circuit means and antenna means for transmitting signal energy to the antenna means, said rotatable means including a code wheel mounted within one of a said compartments and cable reel means mounted in the other of said compartments, and lamp indicating means connected to said circuit means and mounted on the enclosure for indicating transmission of signal energy to the antenna means. y I

4. A distress signal emitting device 'for emergency use comprising, a compartmented enclosure including an exposab-le battery and circuit compartment and. an antenna compartment, said compartments having a partition rangement of parts and the economy of manufacture signals. V

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exactconstructi-on and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and wall therebetween, rotatable means mpunted by said partition wall in both compartments, displaceable antenna means mountedin saidantenna compartment for varying the effective range of signal radiation, battery-powered transmitter circuit means mounted in the battery and circuit compartment, means electrically connecting the rotatable means to the circuit means and antenna means 7 for transmittingsignal energy to the antenna means, said that call for the dispatch of emergency distress'radio 'principles of the'invention. Further, since numerous equivalents may be resorted to, failing within the scope V of the invention as claimed.

. Whatis claimed asnew is as follows: 7 1. A distress signal emitting device for emergency us comprising, a compartmented enclosure including an ex- -posable battery and' circuit compartment, and an antenna; compartment, saidjcompartments having apparjtition'wall therebetween, rotatable means mounted by.

said partition wall in both compartments, displaceable comprising a code wheel mounted within one of said compartments and cable reel means mounted in the other of said compartments, a conductive cable'connecting rotatable means including a code wheel mounted within one of said compartments and cable reel means mounted in the other of said compartments, said' antenna means comprising a telescoping antenna assembly, a tubular holder for said assembly removably'mounted in said antenna compartment from which the. assembly is extensible, and a conductive cable removably anchored to a lower end of the tubular holder for withdrawal therewith from the enclosure said 7 conductive cable being wound upon the reel means and electrically connected to the circuit means.v t 5. A distress signal emitting device for emergency use comprising, a compartmented enclosure including an exposable battery and circuit compartment and an antenna compartment, said compartments having a partition wall'therebetween, rotatable means mounted by said par- 1 battery "and circuit compartment, said rotatable means said reel means to the antenna means within'said anlengths, said contact elements being fixedly mounted on the partition wall and the codewheel for squential contact with each other for prolonged and short contact intervals in response to rotation of the code wheel,

tition wall in both compartments, displaceable antenna means mounted in said'antenna compartment for varying effective range of signal radiation, battery-powered transmitter circuit means mounted'in the battery and circuit compartment, means electrically connecting the rotatable. meansto the circuit means and antenna means for transmitting signal energy to the antenna means, saidrotatable means including a code wheel mounted within one of said compartments and cable reel means mounted in the other of said compartments, said signal producing'switch means comprising a single rigid contact element and a plurality of spaced flexible contact elements of different lengths, said contact elements being fixedly mounted on the partition wall andthe code wheel for sequential contact with each other for prolonged and short contact intervals in response to rotation of the code wheel. g r

6. A distress signal emitting devicecomprising, a nonconductivehousing, a partition wall formed within the housing to define. an antenna compartmentand a signal generating compartment on opposite sides thereof, a-

tubular holder removably mounted in the antenna compartment, an extensible antenna slidably mounted in the holder for extension from the housing, a storage reel, a conductive hearing member mounted on the partition wall rotatably jonrnaling the reel Within the antenna compartment, an antenna cable connected to said holder and Wound upon said reel, a motor mounted Within the signal generating compartment, 21 code wheel driven by said motor having a plurality of flexible contact elements mounted thereon, a rigid contact mounted on the partition wall for intermittent engagement by said flexible con tact elements in response to rotation of the code wheel,

a transmitter circuit mounted in the signal generating compartment and electrically connected to the rigid contact and the code Wheel, a battery mounted in said housing, switch means mounted by the housing electrically connecting the battery to the circuit and the motor for simultaneous energization thereof, and an indicator lamp mounted by the housing and connected to the circuit for indicating the operating condition thereof, said housing being provided with a removable section for exposing the battery within the signal generating compartment.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 214,944 4/79 Neely 340309 2,825,803 3/58 Newhrough 325-112 2,936,368 5/60 Andre 325352 3,061,719 10/62 Shattuck 3Z5116 3,087,117 4/63 Mitchell 343702 3,102,982 9/63 Stypulkowski 325105 DAVID G. REDINBAUGH, Primary Examiner. 

1. A DISTRESS SIGNAL EMITTING DEVICE FOR EMERGENCY USE COMPRISING, A COMPARTMENTED ENCLOSURE INCLUDING AN EXPOSABLE BATTERY AND CIRCUIT COMPARTMENT, AND AN ANTENNA COMPARTMENT, SAID COMPARTMENTS HAVING A PARTITION WALL THEREBETWEEN, ROTATABLE MEANS MOUNTED BY SAID PARTITION WALL IN BOTH COMPARTMENTS, DISPLACEABLE ANTENNA MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID ANTENNA COMPARTMENT FOR VARYING THE EFFECTIVE RANGE OF SIGNAL RADIATION, BATTERY-POWERED TRANSMITTER CIRCUIT MEANS MOUNTED IN THE BATTERY AND CIRCUIT COMPARTMENT, SAID ROTATABLE MEANS COMPRISING A CODE WHEEL MOUNTED WITHIN ONE OF SAID COMPARTMENTS AND CABLE REEL MEANS MOUNTED IN THE OTHER OF SAID COMPARTMENTS, A CONDUCTIVE CABLE CONNECTING SAID REEL MEANS TO THE ANTENNA MEANS WITHIN SAID ANTENNA COMPARTMENT, SIGNAL PRODUCING SWITCH MEANS OPERATIVELY ACTUATED BY THE CODE WHEEL, SAID REEL MEANS AND SWITCH MEANS BEING ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO THE CIRCUIT MEANS FOR PRODUCING AND RADIATING A DISTRESS SIGNAL, AND MOTOR MEANS DRIVINGLY CONNECTED TO SAID CODE WHEEL AND ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO SAID BATTERY-POWERED CIRCUIT MEANS FOR ENERGIZATION THEREOF, SAID SIGNAL PRODUCING SWITCH MEANS COMPRISING A SINGLE RIGID CONTACT ELEMENT AND A PLURALITY OF SPACED FLEXIBLE CONTACT ELEMENTS OF DIFFERENT LENGTHS, SAID CONTACT ELEMENTS BEING FIXEDLY MOUNTED ON THE PARTITION WALL AND THE CODE WHEEL FOR SQUENTIAL CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER FOR PROLONGED AND SHORT CONTACT INTERVALS IN RESPONSE TO ROTATION OF THE CODE WHEEL. 